Days before the presentation of the Union budget, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Ministers in his government to reach out to all sections of society, especially the marginalised and the middle class, with details of the government’s schemes that are for their benefit.
At the monthly meeting of the Union Council of Ministers on Sunday, the PM also suggested that as India marks 75 years of its independence, laws and norms which were reminiscent of the British Raj be flagged and scrapped, sources attending the meeting said.
With regard to the government’s schemes, Mr. Modi told the Ministers to carry facts with them while reaching out to the middle class with details of the initiatives which helped them in various ways. Hard copies of the presentations made during the meeting were given to the Ministers to spread the message.
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Education achievements
Three presentations were made, including one by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba on the overall work done by the government in the last eight years in the social and economic sectors. Mr. Gauba’s presentation was a detailed one, with an emphasis on education and health sectors.
A number of Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) have been opened in far-flung areas of India, the cabinet secretary noted. Enrolment and retention of students have increased at all levels of education, primary, secondary and higher education, according to his presentation. The number of undergraduate and postgraduate seats have gone up, benefitting students, he added.
Last full-fledged budget
The Secretary for the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade Anurag Jain made a presentation on the status of various projects started by the government. He gave the details of the number of projects completed and the status of the remaining ones, the sources said.
Information and Broadcasting Secretary Apurva Chandra told the meeting how various social media platforms can be used to spread the message of the good work done by the government.
This year’s Union Budget will be the last full-fledged budget of the Modi-led government before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, which could be announced in March next year.
